New York enshrines LGBTQIA, civil rights in state constitution

New York voters have approved Proposition One, an amendment that enshrines protections for LGBTQIA rights and other civil rights in the state’s constitution. Passed during the November 5 elections, the amendment prohibits discrimination based on characteristics including sexual orientation, gender identity, and reproductive rights.

The amendment, initially aimed at securing abortion rights statewide, broadened to encompass a wide range of civil rights. With this vote, New York now formally guarantees equal treatment of LGBTQIA individuals and other groups under state law—a move seen as a safeguard against potential rollbacks at the federal level.

“This vote is a rejection of a regressive national movement to roll back our hard-won freedoms that has gained in other states,” the New York Civil Liberties Union stated, calling the amendment “the most progressive and comprehensive state Equal Rights Amendment in the country.”

Despite the amendment’s passage, federal law could still limit its reach. The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution dictates that federal law supersedes state law, meaning any federal legislation from the Trump administration that actively discriminates against protected groups would override state protections. However, if the administration were to remove federal protections and leave these issues to the states, New York’s newly adopted amendment would prevent any local discriminatory laws from being enacted.

LGBTQIA advocacy groups are celebrating the amendment as a victory amid nationwide uncertainty. With federal protections potentially on the line, Proposition One signals New York’s commitment to uphold civil liberties, even in a shifting political landscape.